Caladium plant named `Berries N&#39; Burgundy&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Berries N&#39; Burgundy’, characterized by its short height; somewhat mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; moderate growth rate; fancy-type leaves that are dark green in color overlain with a variable reddish bronze cast; and pink-colored petioles with brown-colored stripes.

Botanical designation: Caladium×hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BERRIES N' BURGUNDY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Berries N' Burgundy’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2009 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium×hortulanum ‘WhiteDynasty’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,240, as the female, orseed, parent with Caladium×hortulanum ‘Blaze’, not patented, as themale, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered andselected by the Inventor as a single plant within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment inZolfo Springs, Fla. in September, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by ‘chipping’ the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2011 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Berries N' Burgundy’ as anew and distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Short in height, and somewhat mounded plant habit; leaf        petioles upright to outwardly arching with development.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.    -   3. Fancy-type leaves that are dark green in color overlain with        a variable reddish bronze cast; areas surrounding the midvein        and lateral veins are variably suffused with grey green-colored        flecks with red orange to coral pink-colored veins.    -   4. Petioles that are pink in color with brown-colored stripes.        Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the        female parent, ‘White Dynasty’, in the following        characteristics:    -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter than plants of ‘White        Dynasty’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium have fancy type leaves whereas        plants of ‘White Dynasty’ have strap (or lance) type leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Dynasty’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘White Dynasty’ are white and greyed green in        color with few random red purple-colored spots, dark        green-colored margins and greyed green-colored venation.    -   4. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Dynasty’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘White Dynasty’ are green in        color, tinged and streaked with brown.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Blaze’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more shorter than plants of        ‘Blaze’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Blaze’ differ in leaf color        as leaves of ‘Blaze’ are dark green in color with burgundy        red-colored venation and centers.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘John Peed’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of‘John Peed’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter than plants of ‘John        Peed’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘John Peed’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘John Peed’ have dark red-colored centers and        red-colored venation with olive green-colored margins.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘Frieda Hemple’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of‘Frieda Hemple’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter than plants of ‘Frieda        Hemple’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Frieda Hemple’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘Frieda Hemple’ are medium green in        color with bright red-colored centers and venation.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Frieda Hemple’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Frieda Hemple’ are tan pink        in color with dense blackish brown stippling and streaks,        appearing to be close to black in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’ in a container and grown in ashadehouse (tuber de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of the male parent, ‘Blaze’ (left), ‘Berries N'Burgundy’ (center) and the female parent, ‘White Dynasty’ (right).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of ‘John Peed’ (left), ‘Berries N' Burgundy’(center) and ‘Frieda Hemple’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’ grown in containers; the planton the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right hashad its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a side perspectiveview of typical plants of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’ grown in an open field.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers with roots of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘Berries N' Burgundy’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from about10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were tenweeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were seven months oldwhen the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium×hortulanum ‘Berries N' Burgundy’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘White            Dynasty’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,240.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘Blaze’, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            ovate to somewhat irregular in shape. Height: About 3.6 cm.            Diameter: About 4.5 cm to 7.1 cm. Segment height: About            2.2 cm. Segment diameter: About 2.2 cm to 3.2 cm. Axillary            buds, height: About 9 mm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat            brittle. Color: Epidermis, freshly-harvested: Close to 159B            variably tinged with close to 179B to 179C; outer skin,            close to 199B. Epidermis, dried: Close to 200A. Cortical            tissue: Close to 2D. Axillary buds: Close to 27D. Root            description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots; color, close            to 155C to 155D. Rooting habit: Dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Short in height and somewhat mounded            plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate            growth rate; potted plants in finished or saleable form in            about ten weeks after planting tubers; leaf petioles and            leaves arise from one or more growing points on tubers;            petioles mostly upright and outwardly arching with            development; inflorescences held above the foliar plane on            strong upright scapes.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 22 cm to 27 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 30.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 38 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About one to three develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            2.8 cm to 7.1 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm. Shape: Wedge-shaped            or elongated elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Sheathing the            stem. Color, inner surface: Close to N155C, occasionally            tinged with close to 49D; colors and patterns on the outer            surface are visible on the inner surface. Color, outer            surface: Close to N170D tinged with close to 182D, streaked,            stippled and variably mottled with close to 200B; with            development, color becoming closer to 199C and close to 159C            stained with close to 187B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 16 cm to 24.8            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 10 cm to 14.5            cm.        -   Blade aspect.—Mostly flat or somewhat cupped in the center.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; flat to somewhat wavy with broad            undulations.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous; rigid.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Dull sheen.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Glaucous, dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to            darker than 147A flushed to deeply flushed with close to            183A to 183B. Margins: Close to 182A; at the edge, close to            183A. Basal notch: Close to 184B. Midvein and primary            venation: Close to 50B streaked and tinged with close to            182A and 185A. Areas surrounding venation: Suffused with            close to 191A, 191B, 183A, 183B and 184B. Developing and            fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Background color:            Close to 189A tinged with close to N189A. Margins: Close to            183A. Basal notch: Close to 184B. Midvein: Close to 155C            with variable flecks or streaks, close to 184B. Primary            venation: Close to 194B with variable flecks or streaks,            close to 184B. Lateral venation: Tinged with close to 187A.            Areas surrounding venation: Close to N155C with variable            flecks and tinged with close to 184B; towards the center of            the leaf and along the veins, faintly tinged with close to            187A.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight; with            development, somewhat outwardly arching. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 17 cm to 23 cm.            Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 4            mm to 6 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown potted            plants: About 8 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster:            Glaucous; proximally, somewhat glossy. Color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: Close to N170D or 182D,            stippled, streaked and striped with close to 200B tinged            with close to 183B; below the leaf and petiole junction,            close to 49D or close to 49D tinged with close to 145D,            variably and faintly stippled, streaked and tessellated with            close to 200B tinged with close to 183D. Wing length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 3.4 cm to 4.5 cm. Wing            diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 8 mm.            Texture, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Luster,            inner and outer surfaces: Slightly glossy. Wing color,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close to            N155C variably tinged with close to 49D; occasionally            flecked and speckled with close to 183B; colors and patterns            on the outer surface are visible on the inner surface. Outer            surface: Close to 194D and 147C stippled, streaked and            variably mottled with close to 200B, and close to 200B            tinged with close to 183D.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on ten week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; sweet, jasmine-like with camphor            note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about ten weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 10.8 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 6.8 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 4 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 3.8 cm. Depth,            distal open portion: About 1.8 cm. Width, at constriction:            About 1.3 cm. Width, proximal closed portion: About 2.1 cm.            Shape: Elliptic to slightly obovate. Apex: Acuminate. Base:            Obtuse. Margin: Entire; flat to slightly recurved. Texture,            front and rear surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Luster, front            surface: Glaucous; dull sheen. Luster, rear surface:            Slightly glaucous, dull sheen. Color, front surface: Distal            open portion: Close to 155C tinged with close to 145D;            margins tinged with close to 145C; with development, color            becoming closer to 200B to 200C and 199A. Proximal closed            portion: Close to 138B to 138C mottled and flushed with            close to N186D and 187A; color does not change with            development.        -   Color, rear surface.—Distal open portion: Close to 155C and            155D with some areas, close to 145C and 145D; color does not            change with development. Proximal closed portion: Close to            145C and 145D variably streaked and suffused with close to            194B, 194C and 146D; margin, tinged with close to 54C and            182D; color does not change with development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 7.6 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 4.4 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.6 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 1.6 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 7.5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 9 mm.            Shape: Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 158D and            155D. Color, mature, sterile zone: Close to 155D. Color,            mature, female zone: Close to 11D. Male flowers: Quantity            per spadix: About 150. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:            Close to 4C. Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 60.            Shape: Ovate. Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Stigma color: Close to 11D. Ovary color: Close to 11D.        -   Scape.—Length: About 19.7 cm. Diameter: About 6.5 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture:            Smooth, glabrous. Luster: Slightly glaucous; dull sheen to            slightly glossy. Color: Close to 147D and 145D; proximally,            fainted tinged, streaked and stippled with close to 199A to            199B; distally, close to 147D tinged with close to 145C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot and    Pythium Root Rot. Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed    to have resistance to pests and other pathogens common to Caladium    plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler    zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a    cool dry environment overwinter for re-planting the following    spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘Berries N'Burgundy’ as illustrated and described.